History-Making 4th Of July Celebrates Nation’s 250th At Washington Crossing

UPPER MAKEFIELD — The banks of the Delaware River exploded with the sights and sounds of 1776 on Saturday as Washington Crossing Historic Park celebrated the nation’s 250th birthday in history-making style.

Throughout the late afternoon and into the evening, a crowd numbering in the thousands stepped back 250 years to experience life during the American Revolution.

Artillery demonstrations had adults and children cupping their ears as cannon fire blasted toward the Delaware River, engulfing the banks in a sulfur-laden, smoky fog.

Standing on the steps of the McConkey Ferry Inn, a reenactor read the immortal words of the Declaration of Independence, penned by Thomas Jefferson, that set the stage for the Revolutionary War and put King George on notice that freedom was in the air.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,” he said as the words fell on the ears of the assembled crowd, much as they did in communities throughout the 13 Colonies in 1776.

Reading the Declaration of Independence. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Reading the Declaration of Independence. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Firing the cannon. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

The Revolution's newest recruits. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Paul Beck drills his young recruits for the Colonial Army.

Fireworks light up the sky above the Delaware River. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Fireworks over the Delaware. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

As he read from the document, the gathering heard a lengthy list of grievances made against the king and the reasons why the colonies were declaring their independence from Britain.

Nearby, re-enactor Paul Beck was mustering recruits into the Colonial Army, equipping each with toy wooden muskets.

Assembled in a grassy field with their muskets in hand, Beck led them through a series of drills before leading them on a “charge” across the field.

Throughout the park, the sights and sounds of the American Revolution were everywhere, from the sounds of the park’s Fife and Drum Corps to an encampment of soldiers on the banks of the river.

The afternoon and evening of living history led up to a grand fireworks show - the biggest in park history - made possible by hundreds of community donors who stepped forward and the Gene and Marlene Epstein Foundation.

The fireworks began filling the sky early as a severe thunderstorm rolled in from the west with its own brand of fireworks. Intermingled with the bangs of the fireworks echoing through the valley were cell phone alerts issued by the county urging people to seek shelter.

As the finale brightened the sky in a compact and intense show of pyrotechnics, the thousands gathered on the banks applauded loudly before making a mad dash back to their cars.

It was as John Adams predicted in 1776, Independence Day and creation of this great nation "will be celebrated with pomp and parade, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.”